There are so many podcasts that tackle true-life stories, and one of them is The Shrink Next Door. After gaining so much attention on the Apple podcast, Apple TV+ has increased the anticipation of this story that many still find hard to believe. The question on many lips is, is The Shrink Next Door a true story? If we are honest, this story reads like a Hollywood script. However, shockingly, the whole depiction in the Apple podcast is authentic, and we will get to see it on our screens later in the year.
Usually, when a movie has Will Ferrell, you’d expect it to tilt towards comedy. But, many fans who have listened to the podcast and seen trailers of the forthcoming miniseries believe there is another side of Ferrell that we get to see. The story wrapped around a psychiatrist and a patient. The miniseries focuses on three-decades-long manipulation by psychiatrist Dr. Isaac “Ike” Herschkopf and his patient Martin “Marty” Markowitz, played by Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell, respectively. While the story reads like ordinary fiction, you will be shocked that these happened in real life.
The Shrink Next Door Is Based On True Story
We have had situations where the patient-doctor relationship of a psychiatric session does not always work out. Sometimes, they do work out, and the patient gets better. But in the Apple Podcast and Apple TV+ forthcoming miniseries, it is a therapy gone wrong and very wrong. We didn’t emphasize fancy, and you will find out as you read more. How can a therapist take over his patient life for 30 years? Did you open your mouth? We thought as much. It gets scarier when you find out that this happened in real life.
The show surrounds two people, the psychiatrist Dr. Isaac Herschkopf and Martin Markowitz, the patient. We found out that Markowitz is an Ivy-league educated millionaire who sought help from the relatively successful Dr. Herschkopf. It turns out that Dr. Ike, having discovered his patient’s success, decided to exploit him. He didn’t just influence him; he deeply manipulated him. The doctor was able to infiltrate his family, business and ultimately take control of his life. You know when you are working as a gardener in your house and your doctor who is supposed to help you pose as the owner of your very own home. Incredible, yeah? This is based on facts, still confused? Read on to find out more about the Shrink Next Door True Story.
What is The Shrink Next Door All About?
This incident began in 1981 when Martin Markowitz, a successful businessman, decided to seek help after battling depression. His quest to find a lasting solution led him to Dr. Ike Herschkopf. Initially, it looked like Markowitz was getting better but later discovered that Dr. Ike controlled him. However, the charming doctor had already taken over his life; the more the demands by the doctor, strange requests at that, the more he yielded. Almost with little or no fight. Guess what? All of these happened for thirty years. By the time Markowitz realized that he was being controlled, it had become worse, and it looked like his situation was irredeemable.
What Did Dr. Ike Do To Martin Markowitz?
One of the many things Dr. Ike could manipulate Markowitz into is moving his family into Markowitz’s house. Ike manipulated Markowitz into changing the will of his house into that of his. The manipulative doctor could trick Markowitz into making him a co-signer of a bank account in Switzerland worth $2.5 million. According to the plan of Herschkopf, his wife would inherit Hampton’s house owned by Martin Markowitz. What’s even shocking is, Herschkopf claimed that his medical relationship ended in 1983, two years after they met, and that every other thing was him working as a business consultant.
What made Markowitz not suspicious of Dr. Ike’s move was because he had a reputation of being the doctor of Courtney Love and Gwyneth Paltrow. So he felt he was safe.
How Did the Shrink Next Door True Story Become Popular?
After moving to the Hamptons as a new occupant, Bloomberg columnist Joe Nocera was shocked to see someone he thought was the gardener to be the house owner. This was after he was invited for a barbecue in the house. Nocera was later invited again for a party where the good doctor insisted on getting a picture with Nocera. After a while, Nocera found out that the man he thought was a gardener was the house owner, and the doctor had reduced him to that.
What Did Herschkopf Do After Being Found Out?
Oh well, as every other sociopath does – he denied all the accusations leveled against him. In his words, he believed that Nocera had a personal vendetta against him.
The Shrink Next Door True Story: Where is Isaac Herschkopf Now?
It took years before justice caught up with the manipulative doctor. It wasn’t until April 2021 that Herschkopf had his medical license revoked. This revocation came after Markowitz made his first complaint about the situation ten years ago. According to Markowitz, he believed that justice had been served. In July 2021, he said: “It’s my 40-year ordeal. It was 29 years under his power and 11 years seeking justice. I finally got it. What matters most is that I got justice. That’s what I wanted.”
Who Are The Stars of The Shrink Next Door?
Aside from Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell, Emmy nominated actress Kathryn Hahn, known for her sterling performances in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. Hahn played the character Phyllis Markowitz Shapiro, Martin Markowitz’s sister. She was removed systematically from Markowitz’s life. Another cast member is Casey Wilson, who played Bonnie, the manipulative doctor’s wife.
You can read about the notorious Billy Barefoot here. Everything you need to know about the petty thief. Is he real? Find out here
When is The Shrink Next Door Premiering?
After the trailer was released by Apple TV in June 2021, shedding more light on how the miniseries would look, November 12, 2021, has been set as the date for the premiere. However, only the first three episodes will be premiered, while the other episodes will be released every Friday. No, you cannot stream on Netflix. Apple TV exclusively owns the series.
Conclusion
We have established that the Shrink Next Door true story is real. Today, Markowitz is seventy-nine years, has moved on from the torrid experience, and currently lives with his girlfriend. He plans to retire and spend the rest of his life in Thailand with his unnamed girlfriend.
